CAPE TOWN – He has just coached the Springboks to their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2009, and now Rassie Erasmus is going to mentor a number of foreign internationals as well.
The Barbarians and SA Rugby announced on Tuesday that Erasmus will take charge of the Baabaas ahead of their December 1 clash against Argentina at Twickenham.
The 45-year-old former Bok loose forward is no stranger to coaching in the north, having been a director of rugby and then head coach at Munster in Ireland before accepting the Bok job this year.
And not only will he have at least three Boks to call on who have already accepted invitations to play for the Baabaas – Tendai Mtawarira, Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard – but also Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia.
The Baabaas have yet to confirm their full squad, but it is likely that a few All Blacks will also be sent invites, as their European tour ends on November 24 against Italy.
The Boks will face England, France, Scotland and Wales from November 2-24.
“It’s a terrific honour to be invited to coach the Barbarians later this year and it should be a great occasion at Twickenham,” Erasmus said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Barbarians are renowned for bringing together great individuals, and the challenge for coaches is moulding them into a team that plays wonderful rugby, which they certainly showed earlier this year against England.
“There are a lot of important games for South Africa between now and then, but the chance to work with a new group and take on Argentina once more will be a great end to the year.”
NEWS 🗞
Meet our Head Coach v @lospumas🇦🇷
Fresh from masterminding the @Springboks’ 🇿🇦 victory over New Zealand 🇳🇿
It’s Rassie Erasmus 🙌 #rugby #rugbyunited🏉 pic.twitter.com/jJtca4ADw0
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) September 18, 2018
@ashfakmohamed